Margaret felt a shudder ripple through her body, not an unpleasant sensation, just like a slight shiver. She was tired now, very tired; she’d close her eyes for a while. She’d say a Hail Mary and then let go. ‘Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,’ she managed, before a beautiful all-encompassing light of love and peace enveloped her and she slipped gently back to the place that had always been home.
‘Aw, Gran H.’ Hilary ran to her mother-in-law, who was slumped against the cushions on the sofa, and knelt beside her. She knew instinctively before she searched for a pulse that Margaret was gone. Her body was still warm. If she’d come even fifteen minutes earlier she might have been able to save her, Hilary thought, heartsick, tears spilling down her cheeks as she cradled the frail body of the elderly woman in her arms. She whispered an act of contrition, and laid Margaret back against the cushions, glad that her eyes and mouth were closed and she wouldn’t have to force them. She put the soft angora throw over her, knowing it was irrational to think that Margaret would feel cold. She was just about to phone the doctor when the doorbell rang. She could see a man’s silhouette against the frosted glass. Bad timing, whoever he was, she thought, trying to compose herself before opening the door. ‘Niall!’ Hilary exclaimed when she saw her husband standing on the step. ‘Oh Niall, I’m so sorry.’
‘Oh God, is she gone?’ Her husband turned ashen and brushed past her. ‘Where?’
‘The sitting room,’ she said, before bursting into sobs. It broke her heart to see Niall on his knees cradling his mother, whispering endearments into her hair, telling her that he loved her.
‘I knew something was up. I didn’t want you to find her on your own. I came as quickly as I could.’ He raised a tear-streaked face to her.
‘We’re with her now, Niall. She’s not alone, and she looks so peaceful. I’m glad it was in her own home and not in hospital.’ Hilary knelt beside him and put her arms around him and they stayed like that awhile, reluctant to give Margaret to the doctors, undertakers and priests, who would do what they had to do to prepare her body for its final journey.
Sue’s heart sank and apprehension swamped her when she saw Niall and Hilary in the foyer. The receptionist had told her two people wished to see her. Both had been crying. She could see the puffiness of their eyes and the grief etched on their faces and she knew instantly that her mother had died.
‘Come into my office,’ she said calmly, determined that she would keep her composure. ‘It’s Mam, isn’t it?’ she said, closing the door.
‘Yes.’ Niall walked over to the window.
‘How?’
‘A heart attack, her doctor said.’ Hilary marvelled at the other woman’s self-possession.
‘Where?’ Sue faltered a little.
‘At home. She never answered the phone this morning so I drove over and found her. Niall and I wanted to tell you in person. We didn’t want you to find out in a phone call,’ Hilary explained.
‘Thanks. I appreciate it. We’d better make funeral arrangements.’ Sue glanced over at her brother.
‘Yes, we wanted to discuss it with you. Although Mam’s wishes were very clear – she wanted to be waked at home before being brought to the church—’
‘Oh no! I hate all that stuff with the neighbours coming in and peering into the coffin, and looking around the house,’ Sue exclaimed. ‘Could we not at least wake her in a funeral parlour?’
Hilary looked at Niall feeling it wasn’t up to her to respond. She was horrified that even in death Sue couldn’t respect her mother’s wishes.
‘No, Sue, we’ll do it the way Mam wanted, if you don’t mind,’ he said quietly.
‘Well then, what’s the point of asking me to get involved? You and Hilary have clearly decided what’s to be done,’ she said huffily.
‘No, we just want what Mam wanted. What Hilary and I want is irrelevant,’ Niall said with an edge to his voice.
‘Well let me know where I’ve to be and when,’ Sue said frostily.
‘The doctor has said there’s no need for a post mortem. She says the steroids Mrs H was on affected the warfarin, and weakened your mother’s heart even more, so she can sign the death certificate. The undertaker said she could be with us this evening. Niall and I and the girls will stay the night with her. The removal will be tomorrow and the burial on Thursday. It’s up to you whatever you wish to do,’ Hilary said coolly.
‘Very well. I need to speak to my boss and sort things out here. I’ll see you at the house tonight,’ Sue said without a hint of emotion.
‘OK, see you then.’ Niall glanced at Hilary, clearly baffled by his sister’s reaction.
‘I’m very sorry for your loss, Sue. Your mother was a lovely woman.’ Hilary offered her condolences. She was shocked that Sue didn’t want to engage in any of the arrangements. She had been about to ask her was there any outfit that Sue wanted to suggest for Margaret to be buried in. Hilary felt, as a daughter, that call was Sue’s to make, but clearly her sister-in-law had no intention of being involved.
Sue bent her head. ‘Thank you,’ she murmured. ‘And thank you for telling me in person. I’ll see you tonight. Bye.’ She turned away and punched in a number on the phone.
Dismissed, Niall and Hilary walked out of Sue’s office.
‘Why am I surprised?’ Niall muttered as they waited for the lift in the foyer.
Hilary said nothing. She was not going to diss her sister-in-law to Niall. The sooner Margaret’s funeral was over the better and
